Traci Surles-Young

Heaven called and needed a musician and singer. Our beloved mother, sister, aunt, and friend to all answered that call. Traci Surles-Young sang her final song on Sunday, May 5, 2019, in Dallas, Texas. Born September 26, 1962, in Saginaw, MI, Traci was welcomed into the world by her parents, Chester and Bernice Surles. Traci was a lifelong resident of Saginaw, Michigan, before moving to the Dallas area in 2017. She matriculated through the Saginaw Public School system, graduating from Arthur Hill High School in 1980. She further studied at Delta College in Saginaw, MI.

Traci’s musical ability shone early as she started piano lessons at the age of 4, with the late Rosie Lee McGill. She quickly became a star student. She further honed her musical gifts participating in the Jazz choir, and other choral groups during her years at Arthur Hill. She attended both Interlochen, and Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, which granted her the opportunity to travel throughout Europe sharing her beautiful, rich vocal prowess. An accomplished musician, Traci’s gift was shared throughout the community as she provided music for schools, weddings, funerals, civic organizations and many congregations in the Saginaw area-including her family’s home church, Corinthian Missionary Baptist, as well as Candlelight Baptist, and New Hope Baptist Church to name a few.

Traci was a long-time employee of Team One Credit Union, and the Saginaw Public Library system, and later the Dallas Public library system. She was a proud PTA member and volunteer at Houghton School, Arthur Eddy Junior High School, or wherever her services were needed. Traci was a dedicated and loving mother to her five children. She supported them in all their accomplishments and believed in them getting a good education. She was the type of mother who spent time assisting in the classroom and made sure that her children were manner-able, cooperative and scholastic achievers. Traci was a great cook and it was not unusual for her family to enjoy 3 home cooked meals a day. Always one to give of herself,

Traci’s extended family also benefitted from her love of cooking, as they shared many family gatherings that included her delicious tacos, taco salads, holiday cookies and, of course, her hugs-the warmth and love from Traci’s heart could be felt with each one! She was the babysitter and go-to person for her many nieces and nephews, and other family members, as well as a compassionate and loving friend to many others.

Traci married Harold D. Young in 1991. He predeceased her in 2015. Their union left to cherish her memory 4 sons: Cortland, Chandler, Carrington, and Caylon; and daughter Chloe, all residing in Dallas, TX; 4 grandchildren: Chad, Gresyn, Pia, and Penelope. Also surviving are 5 sisters: Sue McDole, Louise Clarke, Janie Cork, Grady (Bobby) Liddell, Stephanie Surles-Crockett; 6 brothers: Chester Jr. (Arlonia), Shannon (Teresa), Marvin, Keith (Rosemary), Leon (Elycia), and Michael (Carletta). 3 sisters-in-law: Valerie (Larrie) Packard, Tammy (Maurice)Shelton and Yolanda (Stephon) Galloway; brother-in-law, Tyrone Weaver; aunts, Dollie Lawrence, Jimmie Foster, Pauline Lawrence, Ella Williams, Juanita Witherspoon, Georgianna Kelley, and Fannie (Robert) Randall; uncle, Uleslie Surles (Lucille) ; also a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, friends, and extended church-family members; special friends, Kim Bailey, Gail Richardson, and Elise Williams.

Traci was predeceased by her husband, parents, grandparents, as well as several uncles and aunts. The family of would like to give a special thank you to the Shiloh Baptist Church of Plano, TX, New Hope Missionary Baptist Church and Corinthian Missionary Baptist Church, both of Saginaw, MI, and Paradise Funeral Chapel, Saginaw, MI.

Although we will miss our loved one, her smile, the sound of her hearty laughter, and presence with us, we rejoice knowing that her suffering here on Earth is no more, and she has been welcomed into the open arms of her Heavenly Father.